BIOLOGY Activities & Resources

FRAMEWORK

Lesson/Activity

Web Resources

Questions

MC = Multiple Choice
OR = Open Response

    Strand: Molecules and Cells

Standard 1: Students shall demonstrate an understanding of the role of chemistry in    
                   life processes.

Describe the structure and function of the major organic molecules found in living systems: 

·         carbohydrates

·         proteins

·         enzymes

·         lipids

·         nucleic acids

Organic Models - Massengale

Amazing Biology - Teacher Resources

AP Biology - Massengale

BIODIDAC - Digital Resources for Teaching Biology

Biology Animations

Biology Class Notes - Massengale

Biology Hypertext - MIT

Biology Lessons - San Diego State University

Biology - Online Book

Biology Project - University of Arizona

Cell Biology Animations

Internet 4 Classrooms

Organic Molecules

Textbooks Online

AP Lab Essay Questions - Massengale

Describe the relationship between an enzyme and its substrate molecule(s)

Investigate the properties and importance of water and its significance for life:

·         surface tension

·         adhesion

·         cohesion

·         polarity

·         pH

Water & Organic Molecules

Water Properties - Massengale

Explain the role of energy in chemical reactions of living systems:

• activation energy
• exergonic reactions
• endergonic reactions

  Strand: Molecules and Cells

                      Standard 2: Students shall demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of cells.

Construct a hierarchy of life from cells to ecosystems

Animal Cells & Tissues

Body - Interactive - BBC

Cell Division (Gizmo)

Cell Games

Cell Structures (Gizmo)

Human Anatomy Online

Human Body Systems - Smithsonian

Learning Science - "The Cell"

Structure & Function in Living Systems - Learning Science

Heart Blood Flow #52 (MC) - NAEP

Organ for Survival #56 (MC) - NAEP

Oxygen Delivery Organs #17 (MC) - NAEP

Compare and contrast prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Eukaryotes

Cells - Structures & Functions - Massengale

Eukaryota

Eukaryotic Cell Images

Eukaryotic Cells - Cellupedia

Microscope (Lots of Links) - Dragonfly

Describe the role of sub-cellular structures in the life of a cell:

§         organelles

§         ribosomes

§         cytoskeleton

Cell Functions Review - Massengale

Cells - Structures & Functions - Massengale

Relate the function of the plasma (cell) membrane to its structure

Cell Functions Review - Massengale

Compare and contrast the structures of an animal cell to a plant cell

Wood Magic - Lessons About Trees - OSU

Compare and contrast the functions of autotrophs and heterotrophs

Compare and contrast active transport and passive transport mechanisms:

§         diffusion

§         osmosis

§         endocytosis

§         exocytosis

§         phagocytosis

§         pinocytosis

Active Transport Tutorial

Passive Transport Tutorial

MC.2.B.8

Describe the main events in the cell cycle, including the differences in plant and animal cell division:

§         interphase

§         mitosis

§         cytokinesis

Cell Biology - Onion Root Tip Activity

About: Biology

  MC.2.B.9

List in order and describe the stages of mitosis:

§         prophase

§         metaphase

§         anaphase

§         telophase.

Cell Biology - Onion Root Tip Activity

Mitosis Animation

Analyze the meiotic maintenance of a constant chromosome number from one generation to the next

Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction

Cell Division: Meiosis

Chromosomes & Human Genetics - Massengale

Discuss homeostasis using thermoregulation as an example

Homeostasis & Transport - Massengale

               Standard 3: Students shall demonstrate an understanding of how cells obtain and use energy (energetics).

Compare and contrast the structure and function of mitochondria and chloroplasts

Describe and model the conversion of stored energy in organic molecules into usable cellular energy (ATP):

§         glycolysis

§         citric acid cycle

§         electron transport chain

ATP & Biological Energy

Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration:

§         lactic acid fermentation

§         alcoholic fermentation

Describe and model the conversion of light energy to chemical energy by photosynthetic organisms:

§         light dependent reactions

§         light independent reactions

Compare and contrast cellular respiration and photosynthesis as energy conversion pathways

    Strand: Heredity and Evolution

                      Standard 4: Students shall demonstrate an understanding of heredity.

Summarize the outcomes of Gregor Mendel’s experimental procedures

Gregor Mendel - Access Excellence

Mendelian Genetics - Biology Project

Mendel's Genetics

Differentiate among the laws and principles of inheritance:

• dominance
• segregation

Genetics Education Center - UK Medical Center

Learn Genetics - Univ. of Utah

Use the laws of probability and Punnett squares to predict genotypic and phenotypic ratios

Genetics with a Smile - Science Spot

Punnet Square Examples - Interactive

Genotype/Phenotype Activities

Probability of Inheritance

Variation & Mendel's Laws

Why identical twins have different finger prints.

Examine different modes of inheritance:

§         sex linkage

§         codominance

§         crossing over

§         incomplete dominance

§         multiple alleles

Genetic Science Learning Center - University of Utah

GENOMiCS Game

How Genes Combine

Analyze the historically significant work of prominent geneticists

Famous Geneticists

From Mendel to the Human Genome Project

Genetics Education Center - UK Medical Center

Genetics Virtual Library

Significant Events of the Last 125 Years

Evaluate karyotypes for abnormalities:

·         monosomy

·         trisomy

Human Biology - Biology Project

New Methods of Karyotyping

Trisomy 21

    Strand: Heredity and Evolution

                   Standard 5: Students shall investigate the molecular basis of genetics.

Model the components of a DNA nucleotide and an RNA nucleotide

DNA From The Beginning

DNA Tutorial

Learn Genetics - Univ. of Utah

Describe the Watson-Crick double helix model of DNA, using the base-pairing rule (adenine-thymine, cytosine-guanine)

DNA & Molecular Genetics

Watson-Crick Model

Compare and contrast the structure and function of DNA and RNA

DNA Interactive

Describe and model the processes of replication, transcription, and translation

DNA Interactive

Transcription Animation

Compare and contrast the different types of mutation events, including point mutation, frameshift mutation, deletion, and inversion

DNA Mutations - Genetic Health

Frameshift Mutations - NCI

Identify effects of changes brought about by mutations:

• beneficial
• harmful
• neutral

DNA Mutations - Genetic Health

Duplicating Chromosomes - World Builders

Gene Pool - World Buuilders

    Strand: Heredity and Evolution

Compare and contrast Lamarck’s explanation of evolution with Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection

Development of Evolutionary Theory

Evolution (Understanding)

Recognize that evolution involves a change in allele frequencies in a population across successive generations

Evolution (Understanding)

Understanding Evolution - UC

Analyze the effects of mutations and the resulting variations within a population in terms of natural selection

Dark & Light Moths

Plants & Animals - Smithsonian

Rise & Fall of the Mammoths - AAAS

Where Have All the Frogs Gone?

Winter Survival in Alfalfa

Illustrate mass extinction events using a time line

Evaluate evolution in terms of evidence as found in the following:

• fossil record
• DNA analysis
• artificial selection
• morphology
• embryology
• viral evolution
• geographic distribution of related species
• antibiotic and pesticide resistance in various organisms

Skull Diversity - AAAS

Diversity & Adaptation - Learning Science

Electrophoresis Definitions & Applications

Embryology - UNSW

Evolution of Plants - World Builders

Evolution (Understanding)

Fossil Record of Seed Plants

Jewel of the Earth - NOVA

Learn Genetics - Univ. of Utah

Natural Selection - Wikipedia

Plant Fossil Record

Plant Hardiness - National Arboretum

World in the Balance - NOVA

Seedlings Grow Fast #85 (OR) - NAEP

Compare the processes of relative dating and radioactive dating to determine the age of fossils

Dating Techniques - MNSU

Dating Techniques in Archeology - UC

Introduction to Dating Methods - National Museum of Natural History

Interpret a Cladogram

Making Cladograms

The Missing Link

Classification Activities

     Strand: Classification and the Diversity of Life

                      Standard 7: Students shall demonstrate an understanding that organisms are diverse.

Differentiate among the different domains:

·         Bacteria

·         Archaea

Differentiate the characteristics of the six kingdoms:

• Eubacteria
• Archaea
• Protista
• Fungi
• Plantae
• Animalia

Pond Life - Molecular Expressions

Pond Water Basics - Science Scope

Protists - Mr. Carl's e-Class

The Protists

Identify the seven major taxonomic categories:

• kingdom
• phylum
• class
• order
• family
• genus
• species

Classify and name organisms based on their similarities and differences applying taxonomic nomenclature using dichotomous keys

Dichotomous Key for Aquatic Insects

Trees of the Pacific Northwest (Dichotomous Key)- OSU

A Drop of Life - Biomedia

Natural History of South Carolina

Pond Life Identification Kit - UK

Pond Life - LOTS OF LINKS

Pond Life - Molecular Expressions

Pond Study - Home Science Tools

Save Our Streams - Monitor's Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates

    By Loren Larkin Kellogg

    ISBN 0-941675-06-8

    Published by the Izaak Walton League of America  

Investigate Arkansas' biodiversity using appropriate tools and technology

• Biodiversity - Global Invaders - Project Learning Tree

Microbial Life - SERC

Natural Diversity in Arkansas

Plants - USDA

Compare and contrast the structures and characteristics of viruses (lytic and lysogenic cycles) with non-living and living things

Viruses

Evaluate the medical and economic importance of viruses

Bugs in the News

DNA Technology - Massengale

Medicine & Health - PBS

Compare and contrast life cycles of familiar organisms

• sexual reproduction
• asexual reproduction
• metamorphosis
• alternation of generations

Reproduction and Heredity - Learning Science

Classify bacteria according to their characteristics and adaptations

Evaluate the medical and economic importance of bacteria

DNA Technology - Massengale

Medicine & Health - PBS

     Strand: Classification and the Diversity of Life

                      Standard 7: Students shall demonstrate an understanding that organisms are diverse.

Describe the characteristics used to classify protists:

• plant-like
• animal-like
• fungal-like

Microscope (Lots of Links) - Dragonfly

Pond Life - Molecular Expressions

Protist - Image Data

Protists - Mr. Carl's e-Class

The Protists

Evaluate the medical and economic importance of protists

Medicine & Health - PBS

Protists - Mr. Carl's e-Class

The Protists

Compare and contrast fungi with other eukaryotic organisms

Biological Diversity - Fungi

Eukaryota

Evaluate the medical and economic importance of fungi

Medicine & Health - PBS

Differentiate between vascular and nonvascular plants

Differentiate among cycads, gymnosperms, and angiosperms

Angiosperms - Tree of Life

Dendrology - Virginia Tech

Describe the structure and function of the major parts of a plant:

• roots
• stems
• leaves
• flowers

How Plants Reproduce - World Builders

Plants - USDA

Relate the structure of plant tissue to its function

·         epidermal

·         ground

·         vascular

Evaluate the medical and economic importance of plants

Medicine & Health - PBS

Identify the symmetry of organisms:

• radial
• bilateral
• asymmetrical

Compare and contrast the major invertebrate classes according to their nervous, respiratory, excretory, circulatory, and digestive systems

Dissection - Earthworm

Dissection Links - 101Science

Earthworm Dissection - Massengale

Compare and contrast the major vertebrate classes according to their nervous, respiratory, excretory, circulatory, digestive, reproductive and integumentary systems

Dissection - Fetal Pig

Human Body Systems - Smithsonian

Virtual Heart Transplant - NOVA

      Strand: Ecology and Behavioral Relationships

                      Standard 8: Students shall demonstrate an understanding of ecological and behavioral relationships among organisms.

Cite examples of abiotic and biotic factors of ecosystems

Compare and contrast the characteristics of biomes

Cabrillo Tidepool Study

Wetlands - USGS

Diagram the carbon, nitrogen, phosphate, and water cycles in an ecosystem

Analyze an ecosystem’s energy flow through food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids

Cabrillo Tidepool Study

Microbial Life - Future of Mono Lake

Pond Life - Molecular Expressions

Webs of Life - Dragonfly

Wood Magic - Lessons About Trees - OSU

Identify and predict the factors that control population, including predation, competition, crowding, water, nutrients, and shelter

Virtual Pond

Cabrillo Tidepool Study

Microbial Life - Future of Mono Lake

Predicting the Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in the Gulf of Mexico - EET

Wetlands - USGS

Summarize the symbiotic ways in which individuals within a community interact with each other:

• commensalism
• parasitism
• mutualism

Compare and contrast primary succession with secondary succession

Identify the properties of each of the five levels of ecology:

• organism
• population
• community
• ecosystem
• biosphere

Cabrillo Tidepool Study

Microbial Life - Future of Mono Lake

     Strand: Ecology and Behavioral Relationships

                      Standard 9: Students shall demonstrate an understanding of the ecological impact of global issues.

Analyze the effects of human population growth and technology on the environment/biosphere

Cabrillo Tidepool Study

Microbial Life - Future of Mono Lake

Evaluate long range plans concerning resource use and by-product disposal in terms of their environmental, economic, and political impact

Assess current world issues applying scientific themes (e.g., global changes in climate, epidemics, pandemics, ozone depletion, UV radiation, natural resources, use of technology, and public policy)

Design a Controlled Experiment - Massengale

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Water Resources of the United States - USGS

Wetlands - USGS

     Strand: Nature of Science

                      Standard 10: Students shall demonstrate an understanding that science is a way of knowing.

Explain why science is limited to natural explanations of how the world works

Compare and contrast hypotheses, theories, and laws

Distinguish between a scientific theory and the term “theory” used in general conversation

Summarize the guidelines of science:

• explanations are based on observations, evidence, and testing
• hypotheses must be testable
• understandings and/or conclusions may change with additional empirical data 
• scientific knowledge must have peer review and verification before acceptance

     Strand: Nature of Science

                      Standard 11: Students shall design and safely conduct scientific inquiry.

Develop and explain the appropriate procedure, controls, and variables (dependent and independent) in scientific experimentation

Design a Controlled Experiment - Massengale (EBR.9.B.3)

BIODIDAC - Digital Resources for Teaching Biology 

Research and apply appropriate safety precautions (refer to ADE Guidelines) when designing and/or conducting scientific investigations

Biology - Massengale

Chemistry Demonstrations - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Laboratory Safety Guide for Arkansas K-12 Schools - ADE

Safety with Students in the Field - National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Science Safety - Making the Connection

Identify sources of bias that could affect experimental outcome

Gather and analyze data using appropriate summary statistics

Counting Fish Stix - NOAA

Bar Graph Problems - Massengale

Create a Graph

Graph Examples - Massengale

Graphing Practice - Massengale

Line Graph Practice - Massengale

Understanding Graphs - Massengale

Formulate valid conclusions without bias

Communicate experimental results using appropriate reports, figures, and tables

Lab Report Evaluation Rubric - Biology Corner

Lab Report Evaluation Rubric - Create Your Own with Rubistar - FREE but you must register

Lab Report Evaluation Rubric - Teacher

Lab Report Evaluation Rubric - Utah Education Network

Oceanographic Sampling - College of Charleston TRANSECTs Program

     Strand: Nature of Science

                      Standard 12: Students shall demonstrate an understanding of current life science theories.

Recognize that theories are scientific explanations that require empirical data, verification, and peer review

Understand that scientific theories may be modified or expanded based on additional empirical data, verification, and peer review

Summarize biological evolution

Evolution (Understanding)

History of Life Through Time

Human Evolution

Modern View of Evolution

Understanding Evolution - UC

Relate the development of the cell theory to current trends in cellular biology

Biology - Online Book

Describe the relationship between the germ theory of disease and our current knowledge of immunology and control of infectious diseases

Relate the chromosome theory of heredity to recent findings in genetic research (e.g., Human Genome Project-HGP, chromosome therapy)

DNA DAY - National Human Genome Research Institute

Gene Puzzles - AAAS

Genetics Virtual Library

Human Genetics

Molecular Basis of Heredity - Learning Science

U.S. Department of Energy

Research current events and topics in biology

About:  Biology

Bioscience Challenges

Curriculum Resources & Publications

DNA Technology - Massengale

Evolution Position Statement - NAGT

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Microbial Life - Future of Mono Lake

NASSMC Briefing Service

Oceanographic Sampling - College of Charleston TRANSECTs Program

Royal Society Journals

Science Friday Kids Connection

U.S. Department of Energy

     Strand: Nature of Science

Collect and analyze scientific data using appropriate mathematical calculations, figures, and tables

Bar Graph Problems - Massengale

Create a Graph

Graph Examples - Massengale

Graphing Practice - Massengale

Line Graph Practice - Massengale

Microbial Life - Future of Mono Lake

Oceanographic Sampling - College of Charleston TRANSECTs Program

Understanding Graphs - Massengale

Use appropriate equipment and technology as tools for solving problems (e.g., microscopes, centrifuges, flexible arm cameras, computer software and hardware)

Label Parts of Light Microscope - Massengale

Microscope Activity - Massengale

Microscope Lab - Massengale

Parts of a Light Microscope - Massengale

Scanning Electron Microscope - Museum of Science

Electrophoresis Definitions & Applications

Microscope (Lots of Links) - Dragonfly

Oceanographic Sampling - College of Charleston TRANSECTs Program

Scientific Equipment - Massengale

Types of Microscopes - Massengale

Utilize technology to communicate research findings

BIODIDAC - Digital Resources for Teaching Biology

Curriculum Resources & Publications

Electrophoresis Definitions & Applications

Microbial Life - Future of Mono Lake

Oceanographic Sampling - College of Charleston TRANSECTs Program

Tropical Storm Tracking - UNISYS

     Strand: Nature of Science

                      Standard 14: Students shall describe the connections between pure and applied science.

Compare and contrast biological concepts in pure science and applied science

U.S. Department of Energy

Discuss why scientists should work within ethical parameters

Bioethics - HHMI

DNA Technology - Massengale

Evaluate long-range plans concerning resource use and by-product disposal for environmental, economic, and political impact

Science Friday Kids Connection

Explain how the cyclical relationship between science and technology results in reciprocal advancements in science and technology

Microbes 2:  Louis Pasteur- a Microbe Discoverer - AAAS

100 Greatest Discoveries

Science Friday Kids Connection

     Strand: Nature of Science

                      Standard 15: Students shall describe various life science careers and the training required for the selected career.

Research and evaluate science careers using the following criteria:

• educational requirements
• salary
• availability of jobs 
• working conditions

CAREERS

Environmental Careers

Geneticists - What do they do?

Writing Guidelines for Science & Engineering